It had been expected that doors to the $2 million state hospital would open in April next year but last week, Health Minister Kim Hames said it would not be until October, with full services phased in over the following six months.
AMA State president Richard Choong, said he understood the need to ensure all of the new technology in the 780-bed hospital was working but the delay was still frustrating.
‘The reality is that it’s been delayed by over a year,’ he said. ‘We were promised a hospital in April 2014 and we won’t get a hospital delivered until early 2015.’
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READ NOWMr Hames said the advanced technology would be delivered into every level of the hospital, requiring 48 kilometres of communications cabling in five buildings.
He said construction of the 783-bed, flagship hospital was now more than 90 per cent complete.
The hospital would be progressively opened, ‘as always planned’, in four stages to prioritise patient safety and care, Dr Hames said.
Meanwhile, roadworks to coincide with the opening of the hospital remain on schedule.
Main Roads said the project to upgrade the Murdoch Drive/South Street intersection was still on target for a December 2013 completion date.